Pomelo – calories, health properties. How to eat a pomelo? [WE EXPLAIN]

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Pomelo is one of the largest citrus fruits, weighing up to 2 kg. Due to its health properties, it is referred to as a real vitamin bomb. It is sweeter than grapefruit and has no bitterness. In China, pomelo is seen as the fruit of happiness. Botanists believe that crossing a pomelo with a wild orange created a grapefruit. What are the health properties of pomelo, how many calories does it have, and does it actually support slimming?

Pomelo – appearance and origin

Many people who have never eaten this fruit wonder what a pomelo is. Well, pomelo is the largest citrus fruit that belongs to the Rutaceae family. Its taste is a balance between the bitterness of grapefruit and the sweetness of oranges. Pomelo has many interchangeable names, such as white lemon, giant orange, pumelo, pompel, pumpelnusem, and pulmetto.

The fruit grows in tropical climates (it comes from Malaysia, Thailand, and is currently grown mainly in China and India) on trees that are even several meters high. It was brought to Europe by the British during the colonization, then the pomelo fashion began to be promoted. The tree is thorny and very branched, and the fruit is produced all year round (it can bloom up to four times a year).

The diameter of the fruit can reach up to 25 cm, and its weight is usually between 700 g and even 2 kg. With large sizes, the peel of the fruit with a pale pink, green-yellow or pink color can reach up to 5 cm. The rind is usually not eaten because of its bitter taste. The pomelo fruit is characterized by a spherical shape, after peeling from the fibrous skin, a juicy and aromatic flesh is visible, divided into segments (it has small seeds). Inside the pomelo, the fruit can take a different color depending on the variety. This color can be yellow, red, white, green, pink.

When buying a pomelo, remember to that the heavier it is, the fresher it is. The longer the fruit is transported and stored, the faster it dries out and loses weight. The best time for a pomelo is from November to March. The fruit can last up to a week if kept in the refrigerator.

Pomelo – nutritional values

In the citrus family, it is the pomelo fruit has the largest amount of vitamin C.it even pierces lemon and orange. 100 grams contain only 40 calories and as much as 60 mg of vitamin C. Pomelo owes its properties to the ingredients it contains: fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, manganese. Very valuable pomelo contains vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6.

Pomelo – a source of vitamin C.

The large amount of vitamin C contained in pomelo not only improves immunity, but also strengthens the walls of blood vessels and helps to normalize blood pressure – therefore it is recommended for people with cardiovascular diseases, as well as people struggling with hypertension. Vitamin C additionally increases the body’s efficiency, cleanses of toxins, neutralizes fungi and improves the condition of the skin.

Pomelo weighs about 600-700 g, which means that already 1/6 of this delicious fruit covers almost 100%. the daily requirement for vitamin C (i.e. approx. 70 mg).

Pomelo – antioxidants

Pomelo is rich in antioxidants that can help prevent and reverse cell damage caused by free radicals. The main antioxidants in pomelos are naringenina naringeninawhich are commonly found in citrus fruits. In addition, the fruit contains lycopene, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant that is also found in tomatoes. Due to the content of antioxidants, pomelo has anti-aging properties and has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart.

Pomelo – anti-cancer effect

Pomelo flesh, especially its thick peel and membranes between the fruit particles, contain bioflavonoids, i.e. antioxidants. They respond for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Unfortunately, the membranes that contain the most bioflavonoids are very bitter and many people only eat the flesh of the fruit.

Pomelo – cardiovascular diseases

This fruit is rich in a large amount of potassium, which is responsible, among others, for it maintains an adequate level of blood pressure. Potassium dilates blood vessels, which means it relieves tension in blood vessels and increases blood circulation and oxygenation in organs. It also reduces the workload on the heart and lowers the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.

Poleco – reduces muscle spasms

The potassium contained in pomelo is also important for maintaining an adequate fluid balance in the body. This is a key aspect responsible for muscle spasms and stiffness. Without adequate potassium levels, cramps can develop and you are more prone to strained muscles and broken ligaments.

Pomelo as an ideal fruit in the fight against excess weight

Pomelo fruit is an ideal product enriching the diet of people who want to lose weight. In 100 grams of pomelos contain only 40 calories.0 g of fat and as much as 88 percent. water. In addition, the fruit has enzymes that facilitate faster fat burning, has large amounts of fiber, which helps to increase the volume of the stool and prevents constipation – it speeds up digestion. Dietary fiber also serves as a food source for healthy bacteria in the gut, so pomelo is recommended for people with digestive difficulties. A diet rich in fruit fiber, contained in this fruit, also improves bone density, long-term weight maintenance, improves the functioning of the intestines and brain, reduces the risk of certain cancers (e.g. prostate), obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It is enough to eat a few pieces of fruit to feel full. It is recommended that you consume pomelo in the morning and before meals.

Importantly, this fruit has no trace of fat, so calories aren’t a problem for pomelos.

Pomelo’s other health benefits

Consuming pomelo has a positive effect on our condition skin and hair. The high levels of vitamin B and zinc, and other essential nutrients in pomelos, are believed to promote hair health and help prevent dandruff. It also improves the quality of the hair.

The addition of pomelo to the diet is also recommended for people struggling with reflux, skin problems, and those suffering from diabetes (pomelo has a fairly low glycemic index).

Pomelo skins they are used as compresses to treat skin diseases and ulcers. The white film dividing the skin and flesh is the albedo that contains the most vitamins and pectins (water-soluble vegetable dietary fiber).

1. slows down the aging process of the skin and improves the appearance of hair and nails,
2. helps in the fight against heartburn and reflux,
3. supports weight loss,
4. has a positive effect on the work of the heart,
5. strengthens immunity.

Importantly, pomelo pregnant is not prohibited. The high content of vitamin C has a positive effect on the circulatory system of mother and child. Nevertheless, it is a highly allergenic fruit, so pregnant women should eat it carefully – initially in small amounts.

Pomelo – the perfect hangover cure

Pomelo has a high potassium content, making freshly squeezed juice a healthy alternative to sports drinks. Pomelo juice helps to restore the right amount of electrolytes and supports the body’s water balance. Thanks to this, such a drink has gained the name – an ideal drug for a hangover that detoxifies the body and restores water and electrolyte balance.

Pomelo versus grapefruit

1. pomelo is not a grapefruit, although it is easy to confuse them given their similar size, color and taste.
2. both fruits are members of the citrus family and share many of the same nutritional profiles.
3. pomelo is the largest citrus fruit, with grapefruit in second place,
4. pomelo is native to Malaysia, while grapefruit was first found in Barbados and is now mainly grown in China.

How to peel a pomelo correctly?

A characteristic feature of pomelo is its thick skin. Nevertheless, you can successfully get rid of it and reach the heart of the fruit – the flesh. Here’s how a pomelo should be peeled:

1. wash the pomelo skin thoroughly,
2. cut the skin of the fruit “crosswise” with a knife – along and across,
3. remove the skin with your hands from the roots,
4. divide the fruit into pieces and remove the pulp.

How to eat a pomelo?

Pomelo can be eaten raw as a snack. In this form, it is also added to fruit and vegetable salads. It can also be candied, processed into marmalade, eaten with chocolate or as a seasoning for meat dishes. It is also possible to squeeze juice out of it, which makes it possible to drink it and add it to various cocktails and, for example, marinades.

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